Newtown Police Officer William Chapman and Newtown High School Athletic Director Matt Memoli have challenged each other to a friendly competition. A special event planned for Friday afternoon will double as a fundraiser for Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT).

Both men taught themselves how to ice skate this winter and will put those new skills to the test as they face off on the ice during a Newtown-New Fairfield Nighthawks high school hockey team practice on March 12. The brief event is scheduled to begin at 3:40 pm.

“In the spirit of Special Olympics, we’re trying something new, and being active, and being brave,” Chapman said this week, referencing the Special Olympics Athlete Oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The public can watch the event on the team’s Facebook page (NewtownNighthawksIceHockey).

Donations are invited and can be made at https://give.soct.org/newtown-pd.

The same link is accepting pledges for the police department’s Penguin Plunge. At least three Newtown police officers will be participating in that event, scheduled for March 27.

As of March 9, the department had received $3,664 in donations.